Orabela’s voice wavered as she reached out, desperately trying to stop her father from leaving without hearing her side, but he walked away without a backward glance.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she watched her mother and grandmother follow him, each one passing her by without a word. She felt utterly abandoned.
"Orabela, you’ve ruined your own birthday," Roderick sneered, breaking the silence. "I warned you not to underestimate my uncle. Now you know what he’s capable of. And to think you actually lied in front of him."
Orabela turned to him, her tears streaming freely down her face. "Rick, I deserved to be the Director," she pleaded. "I was only angry because Layla took what was rightfully mine."
Roderick’s gaze turned icy. "You even lost your own position. Now, you deserve nothing in their eyes. Also, I don’t think this relationship should continue," he said coldly. "I gave it a chance—I tried to understand you. But now, it’s over. Don’t even try to contact because I won’t answer. Even my mother wouldn’t want soone like you as her daughter-in-law."
With that, he pulled the ring from his finger and placed it in her trembling hand. A faint, smug smile crossed his lips, pleased at how easily he was able to discard her now that she no longer served his purpose. Then he turned and walked away, leaving her standing alone, shattered and humiliated.
Orabela fell to the floor and she wandered her eyes around. This was the first ti no one was by her side all because of Layla and Lucius. She wiped the tears from her cheeks and stood up. With slow steps, she dragged herself to the door.
Sohow, she reached the ho in the car and saw her family was awaiting her in the living room. Her father had a dark expression on his face while her mother was as disappointed as her father.
She took a step forward. "Dad... Mom..."
Her father raised a hand, silencing her completely. "Do you have any idea of the damage you’ve done to our family’s reputation?" he asked while restraining his anger. "I trusted you with so much responsibility, Orabela. And this is how you repay that trust? You t Sera and asked her to lie in the court! Have you any idea what you’ve done today?"
Her mother let out a frustrated sigh. "We raised you with every privilege, Orabela. Why did you say those words? You can land into the prison for your statent. Why did you do this?" Miriam rested her hand on her head while feeling the sha.
Orabela felt the tears brimming in her eyes once again. She wanted to defend herself, to explain the jealousy and resentnt that had built up inside her over the years.
But looking at the faces of her parents, she knew that no excuse would be enough. Layla and Lucius had exposed everything, leaving her with no place to hide.
"I... I’m sorry," she whispered, her voice trembling as she lowered her head.
Darius’s voice was sharp, laden with anger. "A simple apology won’t fix this ss. Layla could file a complaint against you. No matter how much you beg, I doubt she’ll find it in her heart to forgive you. What drove you and Sera to beco murderers? I can’t even stand the sight of you right now!" With that, he stord away.
"Don’t talk to ," Miriam retorted coldly, turning on her heel and following Darius’s lead.
Orabela whispered urgently to her grandmother, "You assured that the board mbers wouldn’t allow Layla to beco the Director."
Lady Agatha’s frown deepened as she responded, "I don’t understand how this situation spiraled out of control. What infuriates the most is why you felt the need to et that wench! And discussing the murder of Layla? You have utterly disappointed us," she scolded, her disappointnt evident in her tone.
"Grandma, I-I was..."
"Shut your mouth, Bella. You have lost everything. This is the first ti our family has to feel the sha to this extent," Lady Agatha remarked sharply before leaving for her room.
Orabela slumped to the couch, feeling lost. She looked at the ring in her hand and clenched her fist hard. "Layla, I hope you die soon. Only then these miseries of mine will end," she muttered with fury.
~~~~
Layla pushed open the door and stepped into the room, Lucius trailing behind her, his arms laden with carefully wrapped gift boxes. They settled onto the bed, the soft fabric cradling them as she began to unpack the surprises.
Starting with Roger’s gift, she eagerly tore away the wrapping and unveiled a stunning designer bag nestled inside. Alongside it, she discovered two tickets to the movies for the upcoming week. "Roger wants us to go on a movie date," she murmured. A smile blossod on her lips, warmth spreading through her at the thoughtfulness of the gesture.
Next, she turned her attention to Aiden’s gift. With a sense of anticipation, she unwrapped it and revealed a luxurious white fur coat.
As she ran her fingers over the fabric, she marveled at its silky smoothness. "I liked their gifts," she said, looking at Lucius.
"Hmmm, these gifts are really nice," Lucius remarked, admiring the items as Layla continued to unpack.
Finally, Layla reached for the gift from Ruby. As she opened the box, her eyes widened in shock at the sight inside. Quickly, she slamd the box shut, but not before Lucius caught a glimpse of its contents.
A stunning lingerie set.
"Red really suits you. I bet you’ll look sexy in that," Lucius teased, a playful grin spreading across his face.
Layla felt her cheeks heat up, turning a deep shade of crimson. Embarrassnt surged through her as she bit her bottom lip, glancing nervously at Lucius. In a flustered rush, she gathered all three boxes and darted toward the closet, seeking refuge from his teasing gaze.
Layla pulled her phone from her clutch and quickly dialed Ruby’s number.
"I knew you’d call !" Ruby answered cheerfully. "So, how do you like the gift?"
"Lucius saw it," Layla confessed, her heart racing with nervousness. "You should have warned that you were going to give sothing like that!"
"Oh, co on, Layla! You have to try it on! Tonight, you should give a gift to your husband too," Ruby teased, her laughter ringing in Layla’s ears.
"I’m hanging up!" Layla replied with embarrassnt lacing her tone. She ended the call and set her phone down on the small round table, her mind racing as she glanced at the box once more.
With hesitant hands, she picked up the lingerie set, her eyes widening in disbelief. "This is so embarrassing. There’s no way I can wear this," she murmured to herself, her cheeks flushed. Quickly, she tucked the box away inside the lower cupboard, wanting to hide it from sight and her thoughts.
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